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THE CENTURY BOOK OF FACTS. 



Decoction of Sarsaparilla (simple). 



(a) Boil four ounces of sarsaparilla in 4 pints 

 of water to 2 pints, and strain. 



(b) Therapeutical effects. Alterative, dia- 

 phoretic, and tonic. 



(c) Used in cutaneous diseases, chronic 

 rheumatism, and scrofula. 



(d) Dose. 2 ounces, twice or thrice a day. 

 Decoction of Sarsaparilla (compound). 



(a) Mix 4 pints of boiling decoction of sar- 

 saparilla, 10 drachms of sliced sassafras, 10 

 drachms of guaiacum-woodshavings,10drachms 

 of bruised stick-liquorice, and 3 drachms of 

 mezereon bark ; boil for a quarter of an hour, 

 and strain. 



(b) (c) (d) Therapeutical effects. The same 

 as the last, but warmer, and therefore better 

 suited to weak stomachs. . 



Dill Water. Prepared from Dill seeds by 

 distillation. 



(a) Physical properties. An aromatic odor, 

 with a pungent agreeable taste. 



(b) Therapeutical effects. Carminative and 

 stimulative. 



(c) Used in the flatulence and gripings of 

 children. 



(d) Dose. Yz drachm to l ounce. 

 Extract of Gentian. 



(a) Made from the gentian root. 



(b) Therapeutical effects. Tonic and stom- 

 achic. 



(c) Used in dyspepsia. 



(d) Dose. 5 to 20 grains. 



Extract of Henbane. Prepared from 

 the leaves of Hyoscyamus niger. 



(a) Physical properties. An extract of a 

 dingy olive color, and a peculiar disagreeable 

 smell; taste, bitterish and saline. 



(b) Therapeutical effects. Narcotic, anodyne, 

 and antispasmodic. 



(c) Used instead of opium, in irritability of 

 the nervous system, or mucous surfaces, or in 

 combination with purgatives to prevent their 

 griping, as it does not cause constipation. 



(d) Dose. 5 to 8 grains. 

 Extract of Hop. 



(a) Physical properties. A dark -colored bit- 

 ter extract, without much smell. 



(b) Therapeutical effects. Tonic and sedative. 



(c) Used in chronic dyspepsia and loss of 

 sleep. 



(d) Dose. 10 to 15 grains. 



Extract of Sarsaparilla (liquid). Pre- 

 pared from sarsaparilla, and used for the same 

 purposes as the decoction. It is sold both as 

 a simple and compound extract. 



(a) Dose. 30 drops to 1 drachm two or 

 three times a day in water. 



Gamboge. A gum resin, of a purgative 

 nature, but too powerful for domestic use. 



Horseradish (the fresh root). 



(a) Physical properties. Pungent odor, bit- 

 ing, acrid taste ; communicates its active prin- 

 ciples partially to water, but completely to 

 alcohol. 



(b) Therapeutical effects. Stimulant, diuretic, 

 sudorific, emetic. 



(c) Used in paralytic affections and chronic 

 rheumatism. 



(d) Dose. 1 to 2 drachms, cut into small 

 pieces, or made into an infusion. 



Infusion of Chamomile. 

 Chamomile tea. 



(a) Macerate 5 drachms of chamomile flow- 

 ers in a pint of boiling distilled water for ten 

 minutes, in a closed vessel, and strain. 



(b) Therapeutical effects. Tonic, stomachic ; 

 emetic, when warm. Externally soothing. 



(c) Used in dyspepsia, and to assist the oper- 

 ation of emetics. 



(d) Dose. 1 to 2 ounces. For emetic pur- 

 poses, a weaker infusion is used in large quan- 

 tities. 



Infusion of Cloves. 



(a) Macerate 3 drachms of bruised cloves in 

 a pint of boiling water, in a covered vessel, 

 and strain. 



(b) Therapeutical effects. Stimulant, stom- 

 achic, slightly tonic. 



(c) Used as a vehicle for more active tonics, 

 especially cod-liver oil. 



(d) Dose. 1 ounce to 2 or 3. 

 Infusion of Gentian (compound). 



(a) Macerate 2 drachms of sliced gentian, 2 

 drachms of dried orange-peel, and 4 drachms 

 of lemon peel in a pint of boiling water for an 

 hour, in a covered vessel, and strain. 



(b) Therapeutical effects. Stomachic and 

 tonic. 



(c) Used in dyspepsia and general debility. 



(d) Dose. l to 2 ounces two or three times 

 a day. 



Infusion of Linseed (compound). 

 Linseed tea. 



(a) Macerate 6 drachms of bruised linseed 

 and 10 drachms of sliced fresh liquorice in a 

 pint of boiling water, for four hours, near the 

 fire, in a covered vessel, and strain. 



(b) Therapeutical effects. Soothing, espe- 

 cially to the mucous passages. 



(c) Used in chronic bronchitis and strangury. 



(d) Dose, ad libitum. 



Infusion of Orange-peel (compound) . 



(a) Macerate half an ounce of dried orange- 

 peel, two drachms of lemon-peel, one drachm 

 of cloves bruised, in a pint of boiling water, 

 for a quarter of an hour, in a covered vessel, 

 and strain. 



(b) Therapeutical effects. Stimulant, stom- 

 achic, and tonic. 



